New Whispers at the Fire
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After a terrible explosion broke the casual day of Norwick and destroyed farmland and lives in an instant, there was confusion and hatred. People muttered to each other about what could have caused it. People muttered that Salin Ashald is a cursed man. People even muttered that they should abandon Norwick. But as the Doomsayers preached that the end was nigh, that all evils are because of Salin, and other such nonsense, a strange sense of unity was found
Spurned by charismatic words and preaching, the Norwickans rallied together. Farmers and milita standing side by side against the fear, no more will they let Norwick be destroyed and bullied. They cheered into the night, it's time to rebuild, and [BLEEP] Peltarch!
... Wait what?
Well somewhere along the way the seed was planted and the crowd began chanting that Peltarch sucks and screw Peltarch... uh not really sure how that happened, but everyone was super into it. Anyway the point is, the words on everyones lips are that Norwickans stand together, and the time for feeling weak is over. No more, never again. Norwick will stand tall and proud. And also... you know... [Bleep] Peltarch.
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The priest, crafter, and farmer known only as Z, returns from a hunting trip with a warning to those who venture into the Rawlinswood.
Be wary out there, friends. There be lots o' strange happenin's ta the south. Even more than usual, an' it be a lot worse'n gobbos.
I just returned from deer huntin' an' while I was out there, I ran into a huge wereboar...a tough un.
Goes on to explain how it reverted into an orc when it was slain - apparently, from a non-local orc tribe.
Be careful out there an' travel with friends.
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It started innocuous enough, a curiosity attracting peoples attention though the morning. A new spot in the sky, some kind of magical phenomena of course. But as the day continued and the spot grew larger the people's general anxiety grew. Eventually it became obvious, it was no spot. A great meteor was coming toward Narfell.
However, as the moment of impact appeared to grow ever closer the great mass of rock and earth shattered, shards rained over Norwick but thankfully no one was hurt. Though it seems hallucinations have coincided with the event, as some claimed to see strange sights descending into Norwick as well such as a brilliant blue dragon and a figure riding an air elemental while crying out with joy.
Rumours spread that the day was saved by a coalition of adventurers who had gathered up in Spellweaver Keep, destroying the meteor in a do or die mission against all odds and against the pessimistic advice of looker-ons.
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The talk of Norwick is of course the recent attack on its gates. An army of monsters and men marshaled by a fire giant and announced by a strange skull-headed figure. With giants at their vanguard, they tore through the gate, but the Redcloaks gave them hell. And while Spellweaver seemed to be their intended target, they never breached the doors. Of course, the other talk of Norwick is the churches. The Church of Lathander and Chauntea, pilfered by these raiders, who broke off to steal holy relics. While adventurers arrived to save the Lathandarites precious relic, the relics of Chauntea are still missing. Many wonder if another attack is on the horizon... and why this so called "General" seeks to purge them in flames.
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Nate, who has taken an interest in these statues, spends more time in pubs and inns wherever they appear. He listens to the public remarks. Being at the inn at the same time as Vick, he replies over a mug of ale: "Wizards often see powerful vessels in statues. Perhaps when we peel back whatever veil obscures the origin of these we will not be so frightened."
Though his tone is, of course, somber as he listens to the remarks of nightmare and the rest.
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Evil statues....is murmured in the taverns mark my worlds, they will cause horror and death is heard in the inns.
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Perhaps it is coincidental, perhaps it isn't, but a handful of Norwickans have begun to speak about nightmares. No two are the same, of course, but all are deeply disturbing. From field tenders to lumberjacks, to members of the militia... even the Herald seems rather sleepless. Most chalk it up to stress, overwork, and a freaky coincidence so many people are having these uncomfortable experiences, but some wonder if there is a connection behind it all. But if there is, what is that connection? Who knows...
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Nate, who has otherwise been quiet during the debate, merely peers at the wagons of meat. He walks up to take a free sample of the meat, wrapping it in preservative salt, and then departs for the boats destined north.
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Aye, sir! salutes
To the others as he slowly heads to the Union hall You heard the man, disperse. waves them away
No more debatin'. This be a barbarian town, remember? There'll be no thinkin' an' fancy talkin' here in this town, no sir. Continues to wave them away
I guess we'll just have ta wait n see if sittin' on yer arse fer a year - while stuffin' yer face with free meat provided by our "friendly" Malarite neighbors - makes ya fat n weak or not. Time will tell...
War is comin' and time will tell. Stay sharp my friends...
Heads into the crafting hall and shuts the doors
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The Herald and Acting Chancellor finally speaks up "ENOUGH of this pointless argument from the lot of you. Those who wish the meat may take it, those that don't, it is not mandatory. It is your choice. You are neither weaker or stronger for it. That is the end of it."
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Scoffs Clean out yer ears an listen, fool. Ye get strong by huntin' for yourself and fendin' fer yerself - not sittin' on yer arse and takin' handouts.
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Someone rolling his eyes, passing by maybe, wearing a miner's outfit speaks out of the blue after listening to the commontion:
"so that's what the Chauntea priest wants you to do. You, a former town of relentless warriors. He wants you to grow weak, to starve so you can't defend your homes not even yourselves. After such display of courage coming from one of your kind, they suggest you to dishonor something you truly earned. -- Grow strong? I don't think so. Grow weak: that's a good one grain godess."
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@darkspyr said in New Whispers at the Fire:
The Tormtar Priest, Simon Sgier pulls Master Z aside as soon as he can. He informs him that the so called gift is a boon from one who survived the Wild hunt through the Nars. As such it is freely given; sell it, dry or salt and store it for times of need or toss it away, the promise was made in good faith and would last for 1 year. No strings attached, no debts owed by any, the price had already been paid.
Then I strongly urge folks ta sell it instead of eatin' it. Take the coin an' do some good with it.
They want ya ta git fat, lazy, and dependent on others ta supply yer food. Ta lose yer skills as a hunter and provider for yer family. You gonna let some stranger provide fer yer wife? Yer children? suspiciously Nay...
Do not fall fer the trap...they can't be trusted. It's only a matter of time 'fore they pick another one of us ta hunt...and that one may not be so lucky ta survive. The next one may be you. And, if ya take their "gifts," you ain't gonna be ready...yer gonna be soft.
Sell the meat. Heads towards the campfire to continue to conversation with any who will listen
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"The price for this service has already been paid. We are not ones to back out on a holy promise. Ask among your own kind if you want to know more."
The malarite returns to the woods, and will continue to bring the meat in the following days. Some of the villagers heed Z's word and do not touch the meat. Others make use of it, stating that it allows them to grow more domesticated animals as less will have to be butchered. A certain tree-hating dwarven merchant seem most interested in the meat, for one reason or another hoarding barrels full of salted meat in his house.
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The Tormtar Priest, Simon Sgier pulls Master Z aside as soon as he can. He informs him that the so called gift is a boon from one who survived the Wild hunt through the Nars. As such it is freely given; sell it, dry or salt and store it for times of need or toss it away, the promise was made in good faith and would last for 1 year. No strings attached, no debts owed by any, the price had already been paid.
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@wywernywin said in New Whispers at the Fire:
@speedy_z_ said in New Whispers at the Fire:
///Who are they? Can he tell just by looking at them?
Does the town seem to be expecting the meat or is it unexpected?The first deliveries seem unexpected. Soon the villagers get used to it though. If you spend your night watching, you'd notice they bear symbols of Malar.
Day 1 ((which is why I emphasized the "first delivery" in my initial post)) Z states loud enough for the other villagers to hear
I'm not sure where y'all heard we was in need of yer handouts, but we don't. We ain't weak. Pauses for that to sink in
We get along just fine on our own, and we watch out fer our own. If someone in our community needs help, we'll be the ones helpin' them. We don't take handouts here in Norwick...especially from strangers.
That said, you know who needs handouts? Them city folk up in Peltarch. Them's the types ta take yer handouts. They probably won't even question where they be comin' from.
They got all kinds of folks starvin' ta death on the docks. So...take yer meat up north n give it to the city folks. We don't need it.
He will then spend his time (and whatever influence he has on the commoners) to strongly advise that they do not accept these handout. Mainly because they simply don't need them, but also because nothing good will come out of it - there's always a catch when dealing with outsiders.
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@speedy_z_ said in New Whispers at the Fire:
///Who are they? Can he tell just by looking at them?
Does the town seem to be expecting the meat or is it unexpected?The first deliveries seem unexpected. Soon the villagers get used to it though. If you spend your night watching, you'd notice they bear symbols of Malar.
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@wywernywin said in New Whispers at the Fire:
Plenty of fresh meat begins arriving at the south gate, enough to provide almost all of the meat consumed in the town of Norwick. Deer, bear, moose, birds. Guards mention that they occasionally see people in red-and-black clothing bringing it in at the night. The meat seems clean of all poison and disease.
((This will continue for one IG year(RL month) or until otherwise noted))
The crafter, farmer, and priest known as Z casually wipes his calloused hands on an old rag as he exits the craft hall. He curiously watches the first delivery.
Hmmm...
///Who are they? Can he tell just by looking at them?
Does the town seem to be expecting the meat or is it unexpected?
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Nate remarks, during one of his passages through Norwick: "Perhaps the Malarites of the Druid Circle feel generous."
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Plenty of fresh meat begins arriving at the south gate, enough to provide almost all of the meat consumed in the town of Norwick. Deer, bear, moose, birds. Guards mention that they occasionally see people in red-and-black clothing bringing it in at the night. The meat seems clean of all poison and disease.
((This will continue for one IG year(RL month) or until otherwise noted))
